Licensing & Regulations

Nursing Homes and Other Long-Term Care

Long-term care facilities provide different levels of care depending upon a person’s needs. The department inspects each home at least annually to ensure residents are receiving the proper care. Inspectors also investigate complaints. Look here for information about long-term care options, employment and regulation. Read more...

Ambulatory Surgery Centers

The department regulates non-long term care facilities and services, and has regulatory responsibility over ambulatory surgery centers that provide surgical services outside of a hospital environment.

X-ray services (Ionizing radiation facilities)

Hospitals

Missouri’s hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers are inspected annually. Inspectors also investigate complaints to ensure that standards of care and treatment are being met. Look here for information about hospital treatment and safety issues and regulations the prescription of controlled substances. Read more...

Emergency Medical Services

The department regulates ambulance services, emergency medical response agencies and trauma centers, all of which provide treatment to people needing immediate care. Look here for information about how the department ensures that these agencies and emergency medical technicians meet or exceed established standards. Read more...

Food Safety

The department oversees safe food-handling practices, including proper hygiene, food preparation and food storage to prevent food-borne illnesses. Look here for information about how food that is improperly cooked or stored can transmit disease from person to person or cause food poisoning. Read more...

Lodging

The department licenses all lodging establishments with five or more guest rooms. Missouri has more than 1,600 such businesses, which are inspected annually. Look here for information on how these establishments are regulated. Read more...

Restaurant and Food Inspections

Ensuring food safety is a combined effort by state and local health officials. Every year, health officials inspect more than 30,000 food service establishments and food processing facilities throughout Missouri. Look here for more information about these requirements. Read more...